Does lower eyelid surgery hurt?

Dr. Eye applies safe treatment techniques, minimizes pain, ensures quick recovery, and does not require much downtime, so patients can be completely assured.

Is treating under-eye bags dangerous?

To ensure maximum safety, patients should choose a reputable and reliable clinic to prevent complications after the minor surgery.

How long does it take for lower eyelid fat removal to heal?

The healing time for eyelid fat removal will depend on the individual’s body, the technique, the doctor’s skill, and the post-operative care. Typically, the wound will heal in about 5-7 days. After 2 weeks, patients can see the under-eye area becoming naturally taut and beautiful.

Does treating under-eye bags leave scars?

Modern aesthetics apply the “hidden incision” method and use ultra-fine sutures. Therefore, the risk of scarring is very low. In addition, for the wound to heal without scars, patients also need to pay attention to proper care and diet. Especially, you should choose a reputable clinic with a team of highly skilled and experienced doctors to minimize the scar rate and ensure safety for the surgery.

Will under-eye bags come back after removal?

In reality, there is still a risk of under-eye fat bags reappearing after the minor surgery, depending on the individual’s body and the degree of aging, as well as diet.

Specialized, safe, and effective under-eye bag treatment

Home » Under-eye bag treatment

Consulting doctor:

Dr. Nguyen Thi Ly Na, Senior Specialist

Over 10 years of experience in oculoplastic and facial plastic surgery.

See more information about the doctor

“Under-eye bags can have several underlying anatomical causes. Fullness beneath the eyes may be caused by orbital fat prominence or prolapse, temporary or persistent edema, skin and orbicularis oculi laxity, malar edema, malar mounds, festoons, or a combination of these factors.

Orbital fat prominence or prolapse usually appears immediately beneath the lower eyelid. Malar bags and festoons typically lie lower, over the upper cheek, and involve different soft-tissue and fluid-related changes. Removing or reducing orbital fat does not automatically correct a festoon or another form of malar swelling. Malar edema, malar mounds, and festoons may overlap clinically and require individualized assessment.

Before recommending treatment, the doctor should assess whether the fullness is stable or fluctuating, whether it is located primarily within the lower eyelid or over the cheek, and whether inflammation, allergy, or another underlying medical condition may be contributing.

The examination should also include lower-eyelid skin, orbital-fat distribution, the tear trough, eyelid-margin position, horizontal laxity, canthal support, eyelid vector, eye closure, ocular-surface health, and pre-existing asymmetry.

When orbital fat is a meaningful component, it may be preserved, repositioned, or conservatively reduced. Removing excessive fat may create or worsen hollowing and produce an abrupt transition between the lower eyelid and cheek. Lower-eyelid rejuvenation should therefore be based on the individual anatomical contributors rather than on the presence of “bags” alone.

A transconjunctival approach provides access through the inner surface of the lower eyelid and does not directly remove external skin. A transcutaneous approach uses an external lower-eyelid incision and may provide access to the skin, muscle, orbital fat, and other supporting structures included in the surgical plan. Neither approach is universally superior or risk-free.

Radiofrequency and other energy-based treatments may improve selected concerns related to skin laxity or texture in appropriate patients. Their effects are device-specific, may require a series of treatments, and should not be presented as equivalent to surgical treatment of pronounced orbital-fat prominence.

Topical skincare may improve hydration, skin texture, or the temporary appearance of mild puffiness. It cannot reposition herniated orbital fat or reliably correct a festoon.

Under-eye bag treatment cannot guarantee complete elimination, perfect symmetry, an invisible scar, or a permanently unchanged result. Possible concerns include prolonged swelling, dry-eye symptoms, chemosis, contour irregularity, excessive hollowing, scleral show, lower-eyelid retraction, ectropion, entropion, and the need for additional treatment.

The goal is to identify the anatomical structures responsible for the fullness and use the least extensive appropriate treatment while preserving eyelid position, normal blinking, tear-film stability, comfortable eye closure, and a natural eyelid–cheek transition.”
Dr. Nguyen Thi Ly Na, Senior Specialist

Under-eye bags and persistent puffiness often create a chronically tired, aged appearance that overshadows the natural vitality of your eyes. Driven by advanced ophthalmic plastic techniques, modern under-eye bag removal delivers a definitive solution to restore a refreshed, youthful, and naturally vibrant look. Let’s explore the optimal approaches below.

What is the treatment for under-eye bags?

Under-eye bag treatment primarily involves lower blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure designed to reposition or remove herniated fat and excise excess skin through either a transconjunctival (internal) or transcutaneous (external) approach.

Ideal Candidates

Individuals with prominent under-eye bags

Patients with excess fat accumulation in the lower eyelids that detracts from the aesthetics of the eyes and contributes to a fatigued appearance.

Benefits of Treating Under-Eye Bags

Definitively eliminates lower eyelid puffiness and stubborn fat bags

Restores a youthful, well-rested, and structurally defined eye area

Advanced tissue-preserving techniques that safeguard long-term ocular health

Efficient clinical procedure featuring smooth, rapid recovery with minimal downtime

Receive a complimentary consultation with the doctor.

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Options for Under-Eye Bags

Currently, there are various methods to treat under-eye bags, including: minor surgery, utilizing modern cosmetic technology, applying cosmetic products, and performing eye area skincare at home. Depending on the condition of the skin under the eyes, women can choose the most suitable method.

Minor Surgery to Remove Under-Eye Fat

This is a straightforward cosmetic procedure that helps eliminate excess fat from the lower eyelid, including two methods:

A. Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty (Internal Incision Route)

Indication: Ideal for individuals with prominent under-eye fat herniation (bulging fat pads) who still maintain good skin elasticity with no signs of lower eyelid laxity.

Advantages:

No external scars, high aesthetic appeal.
Incision from the inside ensures that the muscles, tendons, and septum supporting the eyelids remain unharmed, helping to avoid complications of lower eyelid sagging.
Less trauma around the eyes, resulting in minimal bruising and swelling.
Faster recovery process.

Procedure for minor surgery to remove under-eye fat

B. Transcutaneous Blepharoplasty (External Incision Route)

Indication: Advanced aging cases with prominent fat bags accompanied by excess, wrinkled skin and hollow tear troughs that require surgical excision and fat repositioning.

Advantages:

Can address all issues related to fat bags, excess skin, sagging, weakened orbicularis oculi muscle, and tear troughs.
Aesthetic results last longer.

Procedure for lower eyelid incision to remove under-eye fat

If patient wish to enhance their eye area, they should seek a reputable cosmetic facility, where a team of skilled and experienced doctors ensures the correct technique is performed.

Here is the standard medical procedure:

Step 1: The specialist comprehensively evaluates the under-eye structures and recommends the most effective surgical path.

Step 2: Standard medical screenings and vital checks are strictly completed to guarantee patient safety.

Step 3: The exact areas of fat herniation (bulging fat pads) and incision margins are meticulously calibrated and marked.

Step 4: The periocular area is thoroughly sterilized and numbed, ensures a completely pain-free experience.

Step 5: The surgeon performs micro-surgery along the marked line to carefully reposition or remove excess fat, then refines the skin with microscopic cosmetic sutures.

Step 6: Patient cares for the wound according to the doctor’s instructions. At the follow-up appointment, patient meets the doctor for a recovery check and adjustments if necessary.

Treating Under-Eye Bags with RF Technology

Radiofrequency (RF) therapy is a non-surgical treatment that utilizes controlled thermal energy to stimulate collagen regeneration, tighten subdermal tissues, and visibly reduce mild eye bag puffiness.

Advantages of RF Technology:

Effectiveness: Not only treats fat bags under the eyes, but also addresses other signs of aging in the eye area thanks to RF technology, thus restoring youthful and radiant eyes for women.
Painless: RF waves gently contact the skin surface, non-invasive, so they do not cause pain or discomfort to patients.
No recovery time needed: After treatment with RF technology, patients can go home immediately with youthful eyes without requiring extensive recovery time.

Limitations of RF Technology:

Relatively effective: Suitable for mild under-eye bag conditions due to sagging, with minimal excess fat.
Contraindicated for certain individuals: Pregnant women, individuals with skin diseases, or chronic conditions (such as cardiovascular issues). Therefore, patients must fully disclose their medical history to the specialist prior to treatment to ensure safe and appropriate clinical targeting

The Procedure for Applying RF Technology Treatment is as Follows:

Step 1: The specialist comprehensively evaluates the under-eye structures and recommends the most effective surgical path.

Step 2: Clean the area of skin that requires care.

Step 3: Use the RF machine according to technical standards to impact the skin area, subcutaneous tissue in the lower eyelid, and stimulate collagen regeneration to restore muscle tension and skin elasticity.

Step 4: Care for the skin area after treatment under the guidance of the doctor.

Treating Under-Eye Bags with Cosmetic Products

Topical treatments utilizing medical-grade serums or creams formulated with retinol, caffeine, Vitamin C, and CoQ10 can effectively hydrate the periocular skin

Advantages of Using Cosmetic Products:

Convenient and simple: Eye skincare products are increasingly popular in the market, with a variety of brands, providing women with many choices that are easy to purchase and use.
Relatively low cost: The cost of cosmetic products is more economical compared to other methods of under-eye bag removal.
Effective in preventing and maintaining results of treatment as well as anti-aging in the eye area.

Limitations of Using Cosmetic Products:

Does not achieve stable results: Generally, these products provide slow and not long-lasting results.
Risk of skin irritation: Some individuals may react to the ingredients in the products, causing irritation, redness, itching, or swelling in the eyelid area.

Notes When Using Supportive Treatment Cosmetics:

Only choose reputable products with clear origins.
Due to the delicate nature of the lower eyelid skin, apply a pea-sized amount and tap gently. Avoid excessive pressure to prevent tissue irritation.

Along with using cosmetic products, women can also apply a few methods to reduce under-eye bags at home:

Apply eye masks with cucumber, potato, aloe vera, etc.
Massage the skin under the eyes to relax the muscles, helping the eyes appear brighter.
Maintain a healthy diet and get enough sleep to combat aging.

Are There Risks Involved in Lower Eyelid Surgery?

While lower eyelid rejuvenation is highly effective, undergoing surgery at sub-standard or unaccredited facilities can lead to severe complications such as: Infection, visible scarring due to poor suturing, or ectropion (eyelid inversion).

Infection if the surgical procedure is not properly sterilized and disinfected.

Unsightly scars affecting aesthetics after surgery, due to the surgeon's skill and careless stitching.

Eyelid inversion causing aesthetic loss, even leading to severe damage if not addressed in time.

Incorrect procedural selection, resulting in suboptimal or ineffective aesthetic outcomes.

At Dr. Eye, these risks are strictly eliminated through our stringent operating room sterilization standards and the elite precision of our board-certified oculoplastic specialists.

Why Choose Dr. Eye for Under-Eye Bag Treatment?

5 Benefits Dr. Eye Commits to Providing for Clients

With a team of highly skilled and experienced doctors, Dr. Eye offers specialized treatment for under-eye bags, delivering the desired results for our clients.

Evidence-Based Consultation

Dr. Eye commits to honest consultations based on the latest scientific research regarding aging around the eyes.

Personalized Treatment Planning

Treatment plans are individualized based on each patient’s anatomy, concerns, and treatment goals. You will be able to see and clearly visualize the results before treatment.

In-Depth & Comprehensive Eye Area Treatment

At Dr. Eye, you will be treated by 100% certified doctors with over 5 years of experience in aesthetic eye care, comprehensively addressing the issues of aging around the eyes.

Minimally Invasive Approaches with a Focus on Safety

Dr. Eye’s doctors continuously enhance their skills, update the latest technologies, and choose minimal intervention methods, prioritizing your safety above all.

Patient-Centered Care and Quality Standards

* Strict infection control procedures, genuine surgical equipment.
* Thoughtful and caring client service, always accompanying you 24/7.

Under-Eye Bag Treatment pricing

To comprehensively resolve severe puffiness and redundant lower eyelid tissue, Dr. Eye delivers premium, customized surgical options with all-inclusive pricing:

Procedure

Investment (VND)

Under-Eye Bag Treatment (Lower Blepharoplasty) includes:

Lower Eyelid Lift & Excess Skin Removal from the Lower Eyelid
Excision of Lower Eyelid Fat Bags

8.000.000 – 14.000.000

VIEW PRICE TABLE

Understanding the desire to preserve the youthful beauty of the eyes for middle-aged women, Dr. Eye offers modern solutions to address all aging issues around the eyes such as sagging eyelids, eye bags, crow’s feet,…

Client Story

Ms. Hong Phuong

53 years old, Ho Chi Minh City

TREATMENT OF EYEBAGS & LIFTING THE BROW ARCH UNDER THE BROW ARCH

“At this age, I often meet friends, so when I have eyebags, my eyes look puffy, making me look older and lose confidence. The eyes are the first place people look at when meeting someone, so I want to change. After the surgery, the eyebags are gone, my upper eyelids are also more defined and neater, with no excess skin or fat, I am very satisfied with this result. Thank you, Dr. Eye, for helping me change effectively and safely against aging so that I can be more confident and happier. Thank you to the staff for being very enthusiastic and dedicated in supporting me.”

Ms. Le Thi Hoa

UNDER EYE LIFTING & BROW LIFTING UNDER THE BROW ARCH

“I really like how Dr. Eye improves naturally, not overly done. When I look in the mirror, I see myself younger thanks to my eyes. Just one month after surgery, everyone at work compliments my eyes. I feel my eyes are no longer wrinkled, no longer drooping, and they look younger, which makes me happy. Women who have similar conditions should get it done early. Improving our youth even a little makes us happy, that’s how we stay youthful.” – Sister Hoa brightly shared.

After surgery, the imperfections around the eyes are completely resolved. The natural eyelid crease is restored, and the eyes are round, youthful, and attractive, helping Sister Hoa look a decade younger.

Ms. Le Thi Minh

56 years old, Ho Chi Minh City

“After treating the under-eye bags, I see my face has become much younger, before everyone called me auntie but now everyone calls me sister, I am very happy and satisfied. Now I can also apply makeup easily because there are no more under-eye bags, the makeup is natural and smooth, I really like this always.”

Sister Minh came to Dr. Eye for treatment with the condition large eye bags, deep tear troughs with excess skin and fat in the lower eyelid. After examination, Dr. Eye’s doctor recommended Sister Minh to have the under-eye bags removed combined with arranging the fat to fill the tear troughs. The final result is that the under-eye bags disappeared, the tear troughs are full, helping Sister Minh’s face look much younger.

Notes for Successful Treatment

Before Undergoing Lower Eyelid Fat Removal

Select a reputable and reliable cosmetic clinic with experience in comprehensive treatment of eyelid concerns around the eyes.
Undergo a general health check-up and tests to ensure there are no chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, or blood clotting disorders.
Consult with the doctor to discontinue any medications being taken to minimize the risk of bleeding during surgery.
Avoid coffee, tea, and similar beverages for about 3 days prior to surgery.

After Undergoing Lower Eyelid Fat Removal

Apply cold compresses for the first 2 days post-surgery for 15-20 minutes each time.
Avoid vigorous activities and exposure to sunlight, dust, and smoke.
Rest and ensure adequate sleep during the first 3 days after surgery.
Refrain from using makeup until the eyes have fully healed.
Increase the intake of protein-rich foods such as milk, cheese, and meat, and drink plenty of water.
Avoid consuming water spinach, beef, chicken, seafood, and sticky rice.
Follow the prescribed medication as directed by the doctor for faster wound recovery.
Return for follow-up appointments as scheduled with the doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does lower blepharoplasty for under-eye bags cause pain?

Dr. Eye employs safe treatment techniques, minimizing discomfort and promoting quick recovery, allowing clients to feel completely at ease with minimal downtime.

2. Is under-eye bag treatment safe?

To ensure maximum safety, clients should choose a reputable and trustworthy aesthetic clinic to prevent complications after minor procedures.

3. How long does it take to recover from a minor procedure to remove under-eye fat?

The recovery time for fat removal from the eyelids depends on individual factors, surgical technique, the doctor’s expertise, and post-operative care. Typically, the wound heals within 5-7 days. After 2 weeks, clients may notice the under-eye area appearing naturally firmer and more refined.

4. Does under-eye bag treatment leave scars?

Modern aesthetics employ the “hidden incision” technique and ultra-fine sutures, significantly minimizing the risk of scarring. Additionally, clients should pay attention to proper care and diet to promote optimal healing. It’s crucial to choose a reputable clinic with highly skilled and experienced doctors to further reduce the likelihood of scarring and ensure the safety of the procedure.

5. Will under-eye bags return after treatment?

There remains a potential risk of under-eye bags reappearing after minor surgery, depending on individual physiology, the degree of aging, and dietary habits.

Other Eye Area Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Treatments

Lower Blepharoplasty

The method to address excess skin under the lower eyelid that causes grooves and sagging. The doctor will perform lower eyelid surgery to remove the excess skin, helping the under-eye area appear smooth and firm, free of wrinkles.

Tear Trough Correction

Method to address tear troughs caused by sagging lower eyelids. The doctor performs a lift of the sagging area combined with the redistribution of fat in the lower eyelid area to improve the appearance of the tear troughs. This helps to lift and plump the skin of the lower eyelid, restoring a youthful beauty to the eyes.

Volume Restoration for Hollow Under-Eyes

Effectively address the issue of hollow lower eyelids. The doctor will perform autologous fat grafting or HA injection to enhance the lower eyelid area. As a result, the lower eyelids appear fuller and more vibrant.

Under-eye bag treatment